Disclaimer- Charmed belongs to the WB network and Spelling television. This is used for entertainment only and not for profit of any kind.

Recap Chapter 11- Phoebe's first trial was held, and confrontations were made.

A/N- Hi, peoples! How are you guys doing? Guess what? I'm back! Well, don't be so down about it. Just kidding :D My vacation to LA, California was a great trip. I certainly enjoyed it very much.

I know I took a long time, but it had to be well thought out. I worked really hard. So, I hope you guys enjoy it. Tell me if you didn't. Until the next chapter, nice reading to you. :)

Chapter 12: Complications

" Sexual assault case goes to court..."

"Jason Dean VS. Phoebe Halliwell. Who's telling the truth?"

"At the end of the day, who do you believe?"

An angry Phoebe threw the morning paper on the breakfast table. Every newspaper seemed to be going against her, and it was so frustrating that they can print stuff that they don't even know about. Phoebe sat there angry at the world, and she kept asking why did this have to happen to her.

Cole walked out from their bedroom partially groomed and dressed. "Good morning," Cole said to Phoebe. "Morning," Phoebe mumbled. Cole took a look at the paper, and without hesitation he tossed it out.

"How'd you sleep?" Cole asked pouring himself some Lucky Charms. "Great," Phoebe said with a sigh. "So, are we going to spend some quality time together today?" Cole asked hopefully. Phoebe shrugged at the question, and walked away to their bedroom. Cole reluctantly followed her. "Hey, I'm trying to talk to you and you just walk away from me. That's very rude," Cole said standing at the doorway. Phoebe didn't reply, but instead, she just started changing her clothes to go out.

"Where are you going?" Cole asked. "The Bay Mirror. I'm going to pick up some stuff at my office," Phoebe said pulling a top over her head. "I'll go with you," Cole insisted. "Um...Your father called this morning. He wants to talk to you, and he said it was urgent," Phoebe announced grabbing the car keys. Cole stood blocking her path. "I'll be home as soon as possible," Phoebe said knowing how concerned he is about her. "You better be," Cole said leaning down to kiss her. Phoebe slightly turned her face, and all he got was her cheek. Cole let her go without another word.

Going back to the office was very strange. People she once knew and worked with looked at her funny, like she's done something incredibly wrong in her lifetime. Phoebe didn't take another look around; she went straight to her office. It was funny because all her stuff was packed and ready to go. She guess they couldn't get rid of her any faster, so they packed her stuff for her.

It was finally sinking into Phoebe's stubborn head that she wasn't going to work there anymore. Phoebe glanced through the boxes, and saw the bridal magazine that's been abandon for awhile now. She touched the partially dusty covers wondering if there will ever be a wedding between her and Cole. Everything seemed to be thrown off course, but Phoebe's trying to steer her way back on the right track.

Phoebe said good-bye to her office, and turned around surprised. There, by the doorway, was a girl Phoebe never spoken to much. Although, Phoebe knew she existed, they never exchanged more than three words. The girl was no older than Phoebe herself, but she was more reserved than Phoebe will ever be.

"You scared me," Phoebe said. "You're leaving?" She asked with sadness in her eyes that couldn't be pinpoint. "I have---Yeah..." Phoebe replied. "You're a really great writer. Too bad you never got to my letter," She said softly. "Michelle, right?" Phoebe asked to be certain. The girl nodded. "Thanks, but I couldn't stay here after what's happened," Phoebe said. "Of course not," Michelle agreed. Silence and tension was up in the air.

"Well, good---" Phoebe started to say. "I believe your story," Michelle blurted out. Phoebe staggered for a few seconds looking at Michelle. 'Had this girl seen what happened that night?' Phoebe asked herself.

"Thanks, Michelle. It's nice to know someone does," Phoebe said. "Don't your family do, too?" Michelle asked. Phoebe smiled. "Silly question. Of course they do," Michelle said. "It's hard to tell sometimes," Phoebe admitted. "Do you have a witness?" Michelle asked. "No...Do you know something, Michelle?" Phoebe asked. "Well..." Michelle said hesitantly. "Michelle, did you see anything?" Phoebe asked growing desperate. "I---" Michelle stammered.

A pause calmed the tension between the two down. "Michelle, you got to help me," Phoebe said. "You shouldn't fight a man like Jason," Michelle stated. "Well, I can't just let it go!" Phoebe exclaimed looking into her eyes. Something told Phoebe there was a secret meant for no one.

"Oh, my god! Michelle, did he---?" Phoebe paused. "I was at the dinner party that night, also. I saw what happened in the parking lot because I followed you, but I didn't know what to do. I was afraid that maybe he would do something to me, too. I'm sorry," Michelle said changing the subject rather too quickly. "You've got to testify," Phoebe said. "No, I don't! I'm not like you with a multi-millionaire covering my ass when something goes wrong! This is your fight," Michelle said. "It's not about who has money, Michelle. It's about doing what's right!" Phoebe exclaimed.

"I'm a mother, Phoebe. My child comes first, and I don't want anymore threats against him," Michelle said. "Then, put Jason in jail so he can't do it to anyone else. Michelle, please, you have to think about this. Here's the number to my lawyer when you change your mind," Phoebe said giving her a card.

The penthouse was empty when Phoebe came home to drop off her stuff. "Cole?" Phoebe called out walking about the house to see if he was around. There was a note on the refrigerator.

"Went to the manor. Meet me there when you get home. Cole."

That was new. He always used to sign it with 'love' or 'hugs n kisses'. Putting the note aside, Phoebe drove to the manor. She wonder what was going down this time around.

Prue, Piper, Cole, and Victor were sitting in the living room having a heated conversation when Phoebe walked in unnoticed. "You knew she was a dancer and you never cared to tell me?!" Victor yelled at Prue. "Dad, we didn't know until recently. We've been in the dark, too," Prue explained.

"And you!" Victor pointed at Cole who jumped at his father-in-law-to-be finger. "You knew all along, and never thought to sit the old man down and tell him?" Victor asked. "What do you want me to say? I met your daughter at a dance club, and we hit it off? Phoebe's old enough to make her own decisions," Cole said. Phoebe cleared her throat and everyone looked up in silence.

"So, daddy...You found out about my dancing career," Phoebe said sitting down next to her sisters. "I wouldn't call it a career, Phoebe. Going to school, selecting a major and getting a job that you love is a career," Victor said firmly. "Well, I loved dancing and it was a job that paid a heck of a lot of money. Here's a heads-up, daddy. I went to New York to find you, and when money ran short. I did what I had to do. So, don't judge me now," Phoebe said.

"Do you know what an embarrassment you are to me?" Victor asked. "Do you know what an embarrassment you are to this family?" Phoebe asked. "Phoebe, he's our dad. You can't talk to him like that," Piper said. "Like hell I can't," Phoebe said.

"Why are you judging me on what I used to do? You were never there for me when I was younger to discipline me, or anything! So, why should it matter now?" Phoebe asked. "Because I'm here now, and I'm going to take care of you. I love you, girls," Victor said. "Fine, daddy. Play the loving father that you never were. What do you want me to say, dad? Admit that I danced for money? Okay, I danced for money from men like Cole. What's so wrong with that?" Phoebe asked.

"What's wrong with it?" Victor asked getting angry with Phoebe. "How was I to know what was expected of me?" Phoebe asked. "Look at your sisters," Victor said. "I get it, dad. I'm the bad seed of the family," Phoebe stated. "I have a reputation to protect. What would happen if this gets around NY?" Victor asked. "I'm your daughter, clean it up if you must. I didn't do anything wrong," Phoebe said. "Fine, Phoebe. Don't you think if Jason's lawyer found out about it, he would use it against you in court?" Victor asked.

Phoebe stared at her father in distraught, and left without another word to anyone. "I'll get her," Cole said standing up. "Why don't you just take her home, and talk to her?" Prue asked. "Yeah, okay," Cole said leaving the grim living room.

The instant Phoebe pulled into the parking lot, she had a breakdown. 'Why was her life SO FUCKED UP?!' "Phoebe, open the door!" Cole said standing outside of the car. Phoebe swallowed her tears and stepped out. "Are you--?" "I'm fine!" Phoebe exclaimed without letting him finish his question.

Cole couldn't eat dinner when Phoebe was pouring beer down her throat on the balcony. He went out there to join her in her misery. "You were pretty angry at the manor," Cole stated. "Angry? I was furious, or were you not paying attention?" Phoebe asked. "Okay, don't bite my head off," Cole said backing away. There was a silent pause as Phoebe continued to drink her beer.

"He raped her and got her pregnant," Phoebe finally said. "Who?" Cole asked. "Michelle, a co-worker of mine. She said that she saw everything that night," Phoebe stated. "Will she testify?" Cole asked. "I don't know, Cole. Damn it! Why does everything have to be so difficult?" Phoebe asked breaking the bottle. She took a sharp piece of glass and put it to her arm.

"WHOA!" Cole exclaimed holding her hand back with force. "What are you doing?" Cole added looking at her with his wide eyes. "I want to see if I still bleed, cause I can't seem to feel anything right now," Phoebe cried. "Aw, baby. Come here," Cole said drawing her close into his comforting arms. "It's going to be okay," Cole added. "It doesn't feel okay," Phoebe stated embracing him. Cole kissed her forehead affectionately.

"I know, but you can't give up now. You've gone too far," Cole insisted. "I know, but we can't keep doing this, Cole. It's going to tear us apart," Phoebe said sadly. "No, it's not. I'm not going to let anything between us," Cole said cradling her into his arms like a baby. "How do you know?" Phoebe asked still not convinced. "Because I love you too much to let anything come between us. Trust me," Cole said reassuring her.

The next day, Mr. Montgomery paid them a visit at the penthouse. They were preoccupied with their own activities. "Cole! Stop! I think someone's here," Phoebe said trying to escape the hold he had on her. "They'll leave if they don't hear anything," Cole whispered kissing his way down past her stomach. "Cole!" Phoebe exclaimed. Cole put his fingers on her lips.

"Is anyone home?" The lawyer's voice called out. "It's the lawyer, Cole. Come with?" Phoebe asked tightening the robe around her waist. "Yeah..." Cole answered following behind her.

"Mr. Montgomery. I'm sorry for making you wait," Phoebe apologized. "Is something wrong?" Cole asked. "No, um...A Michelle Parker called me earlier this morning confirming that she will testify against Jason," Mr. Montgomery announced happily. They were pretty sure now that this case will be theirs; hoping that Michelle doesn't change her mind.

"Thank you," Phoebe said shaking his hand. "Sure. I didn't want to tell you over the phone, but it seemed like it would be better if I did," Mr. Montgomery said. Phoebe elbowed Cole to say something. "No, we were just getting up. Thanks for coming by," Cole said shaking his hand and showing him out. "I'll see you soon," He said upon leaving.

Cole turned around, and staggered for a few seconds. He gripped his chest in terrible pain, groaning out loud as Phoebe rushed to his side. "Oh, my god! Cole, are you okay?!" Phoebe asked panicking. "It hurts," Cole groaned. "Where?" Phoebe asked. "Won't you make it feel better, baby?" Cole asked embracing her and roaming his hands down to her lower back. Phoebe relaxed knowing he was only joking.

"God, Cole! Don't ever do that to me again," Phoebe said. "You fell for it. You're so gullible," Cole said chuckling. "You're sleeping on the couch," Phoebe said. "It's my house," Cole said seriously. "Fine, I'll sleep on the couch," Phoebe said. "It was a joke, baby," Cole insisted. "Yeah, but what if something was really going to happen to you?" Phoebe asked. "Nothing's going to happen to me. Come here," Cole said pulling her to him.

Phoebe leaned up and kissed his sweet lips. It was meant to be an innocent peck, but Phoebe couldn't help pulling him close to her body. Cole deepened their kiss as he picked her up in his arms, and carried her to their bedroom.

Across town, Jason was sitting in his office pondering what was going to happen with this case. It was really nerve wrecking, because his lawyer wasn't doing a very good job in court. Jason could only hope no witness shows up during the last trial, or he is screwed. The office phone started ringing.

"Hello," Jason said picking up rather mellowed-out. Pause. "Yeah, what's going on, Sanchez? Found something that might actually save me?" Jason asked. "Actually, yeah. Phoebe Halliwell was a dancer in New York before she hooked up with that millionaire of hers," Mr. Sanchez said. "How can you use that against her?" Jason asked doubtfully. "Trust me, I will," Mr. Sanchez said. "You better, Sanchez," Jason said slamming down the phone.

To Be Continued soon...

Review! Have a nice day, and thank you! :D